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Varallo-Sesia

Borromeo's Islands - Lake Maggiore Full Day Tour

At a short distance from Milan, the Borromeo's Islands are the highlight of a stay at Lago Maggiore.

I've been guiding on these islands for more than 20 years but still I enjoy passing from one room to another of the marvellous palaces and breathing the unbelievable atmosphere in the gardens in all seasons as if it were the first day!

Isola Bella will surprise you with its sumptuous baroque palace and its terraced Italian-style gardens. On Isola Madre, the atmosphere is more authentic, with a luxuriant English-style botanical garden; in the villa, you will have fun admiring a collection of marionettes and little theatres.

Isola Pescatori is the more lively, with its many little shops and cafés, but if we get there in the late afternoon, we can still experience the life of an ancient village, with the coloured fishermen's houses protecting their baroque little church.

Visit of Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori

This is one of my favorite tours, considering that I'm the only Guide living in Orta! I willingly chose this place to live almost 20 years ago, leaving the big city , and till now. . . no regrets!

The village of Orta lies at the foot of a small verdant promontory stretching into the blue waters of the lake, in the middle of which there's the romantic Island S. Giulio.
On top of the peninsula sits the "Sacro Monte of Orta" (UNESCO site).

In a few hours you'll never, never, get bored! Every single moment will convey beautiful feelings and amazing views. At the Sacro Monte even the atheist philosopher Nietzsche literally lost "the sense of time", seduced by its secret charm. . .

Orta's village, its little Island of S. Giulio, and the "Sacro Monte" (UNESCO)

Top 3 must-see Gems on Lake Orta - Half Day Tour

Private Lugano walking tour to see its past and present

With this tour you will see my city through the eyes of a local, discovering culture, traditions, monuments, squares, significant sculpture and nature that have characterized the history and evolution.
Enjoy this experience through the past, present, and a future to discover.
You will have the opportunity to discover facts and spots of the city that you wouldn't see as a normal tourist.
With this stroll, you will discover Lugano, from the past, when was just a small fishing village till today that is the largest city of Canton Ticino.

LUGANO CITY CENTRE AND SAN SALVATORE MOUNTAIN

LUGANO, TYPICAL STREET AND GASTRONOMIC CORNER

Enjoy this experience through the past, present and future to discover Lugano

All the Borromeo Islands - full day guided tour on Lake Maggiore

Three islands, one completely different from the other: luxury on Isola Bella, simplicity on Isola Pescatori and a luxuriant vegetation on Island Madre.
Isola Bella: carried out in the 17th Century, it was an ambitious project that still amazes the visitors. What lies behind the idea of transforming a rocky island into a fanciful vessel? And what about the "Grotte"? The Italian gardens are unique all over the world.
I'll show you the most romantic corners on Fishermen's Island, the preferred island by the romantic artists and men of letter in the 19th Century.
Isola Madre: a completely private island. Thanks to its position, right in the middle of the Golfo Borromeo, you can find plants from all over the world growing in the open air. Coloured birds, like golden and silver pheasants and peacocks stroll in the garden. In the Museum are reconstructions of different habitats of a noble mansion and there is the peculiar collection of puppet theatre marionettes and tricks.
Shall we start our tour?

A pleasant guided tour from Stresa to the most important features on Lake Maggiore!

Lake Orta is a truly magical place, with a special beauty and peace, and during your first visit, you are quite likely to fall in love with the area, whether for its natural beauty, the warmth of the people, or the beautiful clean water and air. You will be enchanted. . .

Legro: since 1998 the little village of Legro has become a peculiar tourist destination thanks to the splendid, colourful frescoes decorating the historic centre. The subjects of the murals painted on the walls of the village were inspired by the work of the local poet and writer Gianni Rodari, and by films made in the Lake Orta area.
Vacciago: the elegant hamlet with it's refined villas and gardens, is positioned on a delightful natural balcony which overlooks the eastern side of Lake Orta.
This walking itinerary follows rural and ancient paths and secondary roads with little traffic.

A pleasant walk in the peaceful atmosphere over the lake

Charming Lake Orta Half Day Tour

This half day tour is a sampler of the islands in the Borromean gulf of Lake Maggiore.

Ever since the days of the Grand Tour, these islands have been dazzling visitors with the sheer impossibility of their existence. I first saw them 25 years ago, and still remember the awe that I felt. Breathtaking scenery, exotic gardens, and a unique microclimate at the foot of the Alps which I like to call "the Garden of Eden".

Isola Bella, the Beautiful Island, with its stunning palace and lavish gardens tells the story of the historic rulers of the lake: the Borromeo family, who own the island to this day.
Isola Pescatori, the Fisherman's Island, is home to a community of 'isolani' (islanders), in a village full of quaint alleyways, shops and fishing boats.

This tour is an easy detour off the A26 highway if you are travelling from Milan to the Simplon Pass, Switzerland.

The throne use by Borromeo princes, Isola Bella

A Tale of Two Islands

Lake Maggiore Islands Half Day Tour

Borromeo's Islands: Private Visit and Relaxing Boat Tour

The Borromeo's Islands are the highlight of a stay at Lago Maggiore. The marvellous baroque palace and gardens built on ten artificial terraces on Isola Bella are the reason for which I started guiding: I was so curious to know more about the ones who had the dream of making a small rocky island into an imaginary vessel!

Isola Pescatori is the most lively, with its many little shops and cafés, but if we get there in the late afternoon, we can still experience the life of an ancient village, with the coloured fishermen's houses protecting their baroque little church.

Then, a private and relaxing boat tour will crown the day. For me, the number one tour you should experience when coming to Lake Maggiore!

*** This tour can be customized at your pleasure! Please ask for any further information or changes.

The "theatre" in the gardens of Isola Bella

The hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso

Visit Isola Bella and Isola Pescatori with a local guide an enjoy a relaxing boat tour

You can't miss it! This is my favourite tour of all: I've been making it for years now and my Travellers are always satisfied and happy !

The old village of Orta San Giulio is located at the foot of a small peninsula stretching into the blue and clear waters of lake Orta, a few miles from Lake Maggiore. We'll visit the picturesque and romantic Island San Giulio, followed by the village of Orta with its quaint houses and cobbled lanes. Before ending our tour we'll walk along a romantic and scenic walkway that is off the beaten track.

I'm waiting for you! :-)

Explore Island S. Giulio, romantic village of Orta and scenic lakeside walk

Enjoy a Special Half Day Private Tour on Lake Orta!

Bellinzona Art, Culture and Traditions Private Day Tour from Lugano.

Bellinzona is the capital of the canton of Ticino. It preserves its medieval appearance thanks to its central location at the three castles that enclose its history.

The city's location at the entrance to the valleys leading to Alpine passes, made of Bellinzona an ideal barrier between North and South. Today these fortifications, declared in 2000 by UNESCO World Heritage Site, with their crenelated walls allow you to make A jump into the past.

Nice view of the Collegiata church from Castel Grande

Bellinzona, The Capital and UNESCO site

We'll visit together the most important features of two completely different islands: luxury on Isola Bella, simplicity on Isola Pescatori.
We'll decide together the timing, according to your interests.
Carried out in the 17th Century, this ambitious project still amazes the visitor. There are so many things to see in the mansion of Isola Bella! I'll help you concentrate in the worth ones! What lies behind the idea of transforming a rocky island into a fanciful vessel? And what about the "Grotte"?

Which are the most romantic corners on Fishermen's Island, the preferred island by the romantic artists and men of letter in the 19th Century? Are there still fishermen living on Isola Pescatori?
I'll tell you about Lake Maggiore and its surroundings too, in order to satisfy all your curiosities.

Shall we start?

Isola Bella is open from March 16th until November 3th 2024

A must for every traveller, but made in a different way!

Isola Bella Full Day Tour 

Lake Maggiore Half Day Tour - Panoramic Walk to a Stone Village

A hilltop village full of peace on a wooded and sunny ridge, Cavandone is the ideal place to walk, enjoy the view and immerse yourself in the atmosphere.
Built almost entirely in stone, the village of Cavandone was practically abandoned. In the last 30 years, thanks to the magnificent position that allows a superb view of the Alps to the north and Lake Maggiore to the south, the residents are back and have begun to restructure the old village houses, mostly in beautiful exposed stone.
On my opinion this is a complete walk, relaxing and interesting as well. One of the masterpiece to admire the whole Borromean gulf of Lake Maggiore.

Price of public transportation round trip

Stone history and woods just above Lake Maggiore

The Best of Lake Maggiore's Islands - Full Day Tour

This full day tour is a sampler of the islands in the Borromean gulf of Lake Maggiore.

Ever since the days of the Grand Tour, these islands have been dazzling visitors with the sheer impossibility of their existence. I first saw them 25 years ago, and still remember the awe that I felt. Breathtaking scenery, exotic gardens, and a unique microclimate at the foot of the Alps which I like to call "the Garden of Eden".

Isola Bella, the Beautiful Island, with its stunning palace and lavish gardens tells the story of the historic rulers of the lake: the Borromeo family, who own the island to this day.
Isola Pescatori, the Fisherman's Island, is home to a community of 'isolani' (islanders), in a village full of quaint alleyways, shops and fishing boats.

Isola Madre, the Mother Island, with its historic palace (complete with puppet theatres) and its sumptuous English-style botanical gardens featuring colorful peacocks and pheasants.

A day trip to the Borromean Islands

Afternoon tour of Isola Bella and Isola Pescatori

The Borromeo's Islands are the highlight of a stay at Lago Maggiore. The marvellous baroque palace and gardens built on ten artificial terraces on Isola Bella are the reason for which I started guiding! I guide my guests here almost every day and in my experience the late afternoon is the best time of the day to enjoy the charm of these gems.

This tour will take you to Isola Bella when most of the other visitors have already left! Visiting the palace and the gardens in the afternoon is far more enjoyable than during the peak hours.

We'll take a private boat at 4pm and in 10 minutes we'll be landing on the island and start our visit: we'll stroll in the richly ornate rooms of the "palazzo" and around the luxuriant gardens made on ten terraces.
The warm afternoon light allows enchanting views on the lake and on the surrounding hills.

After that, we'll visit the charming village of Isola Pescatori, where you can have dinner in a restaurant.

Experience a tour of the Borromeo's Islands... out of the crowds!

A fun and easy way for a quick orientation to Lugano center if your time is limited - it hits the highlights: the popular main squares, streets, shopping and souvenir areas; as well as restaurants, bars, and local Swiss and Ticinese products. You will see the city from a local perspective, and discover unexpected sights!

The tour includes the ending visit to a central modern local brewpub for a beer tasting with a local favorite food. You can choose to taste four beer styles, including the unique local Lügan beer, accompanied by the delicious Flammenkuchen: the classic Alsatian speciality reworked in a Ticinese key, enriched with local ingredients, characterized by a crispy, thin crust and smoky taste or by local salumi as you prefer!
Your local guide will provide additional suggestions and directions to enjoy your time here, and can tailor the tour to your specific interests

Highlits and Beer Experience.

Sights and Suds - Lugano Private Tour

A must for every traveller, but made in a different way! 
We’ll visit together the most important island Isola Bella. 
We’ll decide together the timing, according to your interests. 
Carried out in the 17th Century, this ambitious project still amazes the visitor. There are so many things to see in the mansion of Isola Bella! I’ll help you concentrate in the worth ones! What lies behind the idea of transforming a rocky island into a fanciful vessel? And what about the "Grotte"? 




Half day tour mansion and garden Isola Bella

Half day Isola Bella

This tour is an opportunity to see islands in the Borromean gulf of Lake Maggiore in the beauty of the late afternoon sun. The quality of light is great at that time of day, and best of all. . . the crowds have gone home!

Ever since the days of the Grand Tour, these islands have been dazzling visitors with the sheer impossibility of their existence. I first saw them 25 years ago, and still remember the awe that I felt. Breathtaking scenery, exotic gardens, and a unique microclimate at the foot of the Alps which I like to call "the Garden of Eden".

Isola Bella, the Beautiful Island, with its stunning palace and lavish gardens tells the story of the historic rulers of the lake: the Borromeo family who own the island to this day.
Isola Pescatori, the Fisherman's Island, is home to a community of 'isolani' (islanders), in a village full of quaint alleyways, shops and fishing boats.

Orta san giulio tours

Explore with 29 tours and 6 guides.

Daniela G.

$ 436 (USD)

Cosetta D.

$ 335 (USD)

Romina M.

$ 399 (USD)

Claudia R.

$ 436 (USD)

Albert H.

$ 344 (USD)

Carolyn L.

$ 292 (USD)

Daniela G.

$ 436 (USD)

Cosetta D.

$ 295 (USD)

Romina M.

$ 375 (USD)

Claudia R.

$ 436 (USD)

Albert H.

$ 376 (USD)

Carolyn L.

$ 447 (USD)

Daniela G.

$ 310 (USD)

Romina M.

$ 525 (USD)

Claudia R.

$ 305 (USD)

Carolyn L.

$ 298 (USD)

Meet your local guides in Orta san giulio

Customize your tour